ORDER :

All these petitions are being decided by a common order as common question of facts and law are involved.

2. Petitioner Neeraj Thakur (in Cr.MP(M) No.509 of 2022) was having L-14 licence for sale of country spirit at various units in District Hamirpur, for the year 2021-22. Petitioners Harish alias Rishu (in Cr.MP(M) No.507 of 2022), Ashish Soni (in Cr.MP(M) No.430 of 2022), Kartar Singh (in Cr.MP(M) No.495 of 2022), Kuldeep Singh (in Cr.MP(M) No.486 of 2022) and Rajeev Kumar (in Cr.MP(M) No.496 of 2022) were the employees of petitioner Neeraj Thakur, working for him as Salesmen at different retail vends. Petitioner Ashish Soni also worked as driver for petitioner Neeraj Thakur in addition to being his salesman. Petitioner Sunil Sharma (in Cr.MP(M) No.429 of 2022) was running an “AHATA” (Bar attached with retail liquor sales vend) at place Sulagwan, Tehsil Bhoranj, District Hamirpur, H.P..

3. An FIR No. 10/22, dated 24.01.2022 was registered at Police Station Bhoranj, District Hamirpur, H.P., under Sections 39(1)(a) of the H.P. Excise Act, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B, IPC and 23 of H.P. Prevention of Corrupt Practice Act, 1983. All the petitioners, in these petitions have been a